Patriots Could Leverage No. 1 Draft Pick for Big Trade, Adding All-Pro Pass Rusher and Valuable Draft Picks
As the New England Patriots approach the final game of the season, they find themselves in an exciting position with a chance to reshape their future.
The team is currently holding the No. 1 overall pick, a rare opportunity that hasn’t come their way since 1993.
This top selection could serve as the cornerstone for a major roster transformation, and the Patriots are in a prime spot to make a strategic move, possibly by trading the pick.
The Patriots’ draft positioning is heavily tied to the result of their upcoming game against the Buffalo Bills.
A loss in this game would secure their place at the top of the draft order, with teams like the Titans, Giants, and Browns still in the hunt.
However, the Patriots are in a favorable position to control the No. 1 pick if they finish the season with a loss. Given their recent investment in quarterback Drake Maye, selected with the third overall pick in the previous draft,
New England won’t be targeting a quarterback this year. This opens the door for them to trade the pick and potentially gain valuable assets.
One intriguing potential trade partner could be the Las Vegas Raiders, who are in desperate need of a franchise quarterback.
The Patriots could explore a deal that would see them receive a mix of draft picks and a proven player like Maxx Crosby, a star pass rusher with a $95 million contract.
This scenario could offer New England a strong return while allowing the Raiders to secure the No. 1 pick and select a quarterback to lead their future.
In this hypothetical trade, the Patriots would receive Crosby, a proven edge rusher who could immediately bolster their pass rush.
Along with Crosby, they would gain a 2025 first-round pick (likely somewhere in the middle to late portion of the round), a second-round pick in 2025, and additional second and third-round picks in 2026.
In exchange, the Raiders would secure the coveted No. 1 overall pick. Crosby, despite facing some challenges this season with an ankle injury, has proven to be a game-changer with 7.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss before being sidelined. His addition to New England’s defense would be a major upgrade.
This trade would not only address the Patriots’ immediate needs on defense but would also provide the team with multiple draft picks to continue building for the future.
With these additional picks, New England could strengthen other key areas of the roster, such as wide receiver or offensive line. This approach aligns with the team’s history under former coach Bill Belichick, who preferred to balance acquiring proven players with amassing draft capital rather than taking a high-risk gamble on a single rookie.
Some analysts and fans have even suggested that losing to the Bills might be the best outcome for the Patriots, as it would ensure they keep the No. 1 pick. While winning a season finale is typically a morale booster for teams, New England’s current focus is on maximizing their potential with the top draft selection. Adding high-quality players around quarterback Drake Maye, who has shown flashes of potential in his first season, will be crucial for the team’s success in the years to come. If they play their cards right, the Patriots could be in a position to quickly elevate their roster and build a competitive team moving forward.
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